About

Who Are Game Masters?

This is the question that I want to answer. We have all seen and heard the stereotypes of who game masters (or Dungeon Masters) are: nerdy, overweight, socially-inept nebbishes with far too much esoteric knowledge on their hands. But I want to know who they are. How they got into the hobby. What do they get out of it? Why do they keep getting behind the screens? How does affect their work-a-day life–if it does at all?

These are the questions that the Master of the Game project seeks to answer.

I plan on interviewing game masters from a variety of backgrounds and experience levels and posting those on this blog. I also intend to produce a survey that can help gather statistical data on game masters in order to spot trends and to further help illuminate and outline the varied lives we lead. Occasionally I’ll post anecdotes from my own experiences and also tips-and-tricks I’ve picked up along the way. Who knows? Maybe we’ll even be able to have guests that can share their tips with us as well.

I had originally thought to compile my data and stories into a book. A book that can serve as the definitive illustration who we really are. As game masters–and as people. But that is not to be. I don’t believe I’ve been able to compile enough data to really be considered a snapshot of that definition, nor have I been able to collect enough stories.

So, now, what is this project? It still seeks to answer the question of “who are game masters?” It seeks to explore the art of the GM and the games they play. Only now, it is primarily though my eyes and through my lens.

If you wish to be interviewed for the project, I’m still willing and able. Feel free to hit that Contacts button.

Thanks!

–Shedrick